Manqoba Mngqithi has lifted the lid on his thoughts about the future involvement of influential player Teboho Mokoena at Mamelodi Sundowns.
Mokoena, who has played just under 90 games for Sundowns across all competitions, has not featured in this season’s Caf Champions League preliminary stages and the Betway Premiership as Mngqithi has reduced the 27-year-old to a spectator.
As a measure of discipline, Mngqithi has excluded the Bafana Bafana international from his team, stating he is not scared to take bold decsions and remove players who are displaying pedestrian behaviour.
Mokoena and Khuliso Mudau are some of the regular players who were sidelined. However, Mudau returned to action in a 2-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs where he was one of the standout performers at a jam packed FNB Stadium.
Mngqithi has been playing Rivaldo Coetzee as the holding midfielder – a position usually occupied by Mokoena who excels in serving as the bridge between defence and attack.
Coetzee, a natural centre back, was converted to a central defensive midfielder under Pitso Mosimane, on the recommendation of Mngqithi, who was an assistant at the time.
“He (Rivaldo) has played as a No.6 for us in the past. He is a very good player technically and he can use both left and right comfortably.
“He reads the game very well, he is one of the best leaders in the team and he is not often caught unaware of what is happening around him because he scans a lot,” said Mngqithi.
“As a No.6, I don’t want someone who moves a lot and not open that hole – I want someone who is a bit stable, that’s why I prefer to play with three central midfielders so that the No.8s can confront whatever and the No.6 is always a pivot in front of the last line,” Mngqithi added.
While being currently being ostracised, Mngqithi has revealed that the Bafana Bafana international is still very much part of his plans as Downs are gunning for an eighth successive Premiership and look for what has been an elusive second Champions League crown.
“Tebza is a good player but he might also help us as a No.8. His dynamism, aggression and ability to score might be even more important for us going forward.
“But he is also a good No.6 for us but make no mistake – Rivaldo is one of the best players technically who I have ever worked with.
“I will always have him in my thoughts because I believe he is very good in his space. But you cannot compare the two players because their profiles are very different,” Mngqithi explained.
The vibe in the stands this season >>>>
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) October 2, 2024
We can't wait until we do this again Masandawana! Let's keep painting every stadium yellow! 💛#Sundowns #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/ApsepzgGw2
